Press-through self-gripping device

ABSTRACT

A two-part fastening device is provided for holding or attaching together one or more sheet-like articles and includes a gripping member having a base and firmly secured thereto a plurality of up-right, stiff, needle-shaped gripping elements which are adapted to pierce, penetrate, or pass through the sheet article to be held, and a receiving member cooperating with the gripping member adapted to permit the gripping elements to penetrate and lodge therein after penetrating the sheet article. Either part of the fastening device can also be provided with a secondary fastener such as a button, a zipper or self-gripping device. The fastening device is self-fastening and does not require a secondary process for attachment.

United States Patent [191 Brumlik [451 Sept. 16, 1975 [73] Assignee: lngrip Fasteners, Inc., New York,

[22] Filed: Aug. 13, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 387,977

Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 126,709, March 22, 1971.

Primary ExaminerBemard A. Gelak Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Burgess, Dinklage & Sprung 57 ABSTRACT A two-part fastening device is provided for holding or attaching together one or more sheet-like articles and includes a gripping member having a base and firmly secured thereto a plurality of up-right, stiff, needleshaped gripping elements which are adapted to pierce, penetrate, or pass through the sheet article to be held, and a receiving member cooperating with the gripping member adapted to permit the gripping elements to penetrate and lodge therein after penetrating the sheet article. Either part of the fastening device can also be provided with asecondary fastener such as a button, a zipper or self-gripping device. The fastening device is self-fastening and does not require a secondary process for attachment.

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' INVENTOR BY GEORGE C. BRUMLiK BURGESS. DINKLAGE & SPRUNG v 1 PRESS-THROUGH SELF-GRIPPING DEVICE'F BACKGROUND This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 126,709, filed'Mar. 22, 1971.

This invention relates to a penetrating multielement fastening device. More particularly, this invention relates to a fastening device for holding or attaching together sheet-like members which includes a gripping member, the gripping elements of which are adapted to penetrate and pass through the sheet-like articles and a receiving member in which the gripping element lodges and is retained or held therein.

Various self-gripping fasteners, particularly suitable for releasably fastening fabrics and the like are presently available. Typical of such fasteners are a selfgripping fastener assemblies presently marketed under the trademarks Velcro and Headlockl Velcro is in the form of pairs of fabric strips which are suitably secured to the opposing fabrics to be fastened together. The Velcro fastener comprises multiple rows of small vertically-extending open plastic loops secured to the outer surface of one of the matching strips while matching small plastic hooks are secured to the outer surface of the opposite strips. Thus, when the two opposing strips are press-contacted the hooks link with the opposing loops in an interlocking action, and when pulled apart with sufficient force,.the hooks disengage from their corresponding loops.

While the Velcro and Headlock fasteners provide an effective gripping action, the cost of manufacture thereof is relatively expensive.

More importantly, the presently available devices require a secondary process such as sewing, gluing, riveting, etc. for attachment.

SUMMARY The present inventionprovides a novel fastening device for holding or attaching together one or more sheet-like articles and includes a gripping member having a base and firmly secured thereto a plurality of upright stiff, needle-shaped gripping elements which are adapted to pierce, penetrate or pass through the sheet article or articles, and a receiving member cooperating with the gripping member and adapted to permit the gripping elements to penetrate and lodge therein after being pressed through said sheet article. The gripping elements are such that they are held or retained by the receiving member when embedded therein. In a preferred embodiment the receiving member is provided with a backing member which is adapted to prevent the gripping elements from passing therethrough.

The present invention is unique in that it does not require a secondary attaching or fastening process. The

fastening device of this invention need only be pressed together to fasten or hold sheet-like articles. The present invention also facilitates holding together layers of fabric without distortion as commonly occurs in-pinning.

The present invention also embodies a method for holding or attaching together one or more sheet-like members which comprises positioning a sheet member or overlapping sheet members between the above described gripping inember and receiving member and then applying pressure to bring them together thereby causing the gripping elements on the gripping member to penetrate or pass through the sheet or sheets and become lodged in the receiving member.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view showing the fastening device of the present invention with a sheet article positioned between the parts thereof.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 3a through 3g are enlarged elevational views showing various configurations of gripping elements that can be utilized in the present invention.

FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 are perspective views illustrating alternate embodiments of the fastening device of the present invention as well as several ways in which it can be utilized to attach together sheet-like articles.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention which is shown to include a secondary fastener.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention which is shown to include additional gripping elements.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the fastening device of the present invention illustrating an embodiment wherein a zipper is attached to a fabric.

FIGS. 10 through 15 are perspective views of illustrating alternate configurations and arrangements of the gripping base and elements which form the gripping member of the fastening device of the present inventron.

DESCRIPTION Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawing, the fastening device of the present invention is shown to include a gripping member which is made up of a base member 10 having firmly secured thereto a plurality of up-right stiff, needle-shaped gripping elements 12 ending in a barbed hook. Cooperating with the gripping member is receiving member 14 which is shown with a preferred backing member 16. Receiving member 14 has sufficient thickness and is of such a nature so as to permit the gripping elements 12 to penetrate and become lodged therein. The backing member 16 is of such a nature so as to prevent the gripping elements 12 from passing therethrough.

The gripping elements 12 are discussed in greater detail below and are adapted to pierce, penetrate or pass through sheet article 18 upon the application of pressure and then become embedded and retained in member 14.

FIG. 2 illustrates an alternate embodiment wherein the base 10 and the receiving element 14 with backing member 16 are in the form of a round patch. This figure also illustrates the gripping elements 12 passing through a plurality of sheets 18. I

Suitable needle-shaped gripping elements that can be used in the fastening device of the present invention are illustrated in FIG. 3. In FIG. 3a there is illustrated a wire-like hook which is bent at an angle. When this particular hook is embedded in a receiving member, the spring-like tension of the hook aids in keeping the gripping element lodged therein.

FIG. 3b shows a simple barbed-type hook and FIGS. 3c and 3d illustrate needle-like gripping elements having a series of barbs thereon.

FIG. 3e shows a gripping element having cutting edge 12 on a piercing hook. The cutting edges aid in penetrating or piercing certain sheet-like articles such as leather plastic sheet and the like.

FIG. 3fshows a suitable gripping element made up of truncated, conical bodies which increase in size. FIG. 3g shows an arrow shaped element.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment wherein the base member 10 and the receiving member 14 with backing member 16 thereon are in the form of narrow linear strips. FIG. 4 also illustrates the use of this particular fastening device to attach together a plurality of stacked sheets 18 at the edge thereof.

FIG. 5 illustrates a preferred embodiment wherein a press-through layer 5 is laminated to receiving member 14 with a preferred backing member 16. Layer 50 faces the gripping member and is of any suitable material, such as those mentioned below for the sheet element 18, that is capable of being pierced or passed through by the needle-shaped grigging elements as is illustrated by the single barbed hook 12 in FIG. 5. Layer 50 provides receiving member 14 with greatly improved resistance to being pulled out upon removal of a gripping element.

FIG. 6 also shows a similar arrangement but here the fastening device attaches at a seam together overlapping sheets 18 and a channel-like backing member 16 extending down over the sides of member 14 as shown. Also illustrated are four paralleled rows of gripping elements 12 on the base 10.

FIG. 7 illustrates an alternate embodiment wherein the fastening device is used to secure a button 70, which is attached by means of thread 72 to member 14, to sheet 18. The button 70 can be attached by any suitable means to either member 14 or base or both.

FIG. 8 shows yet another alternate embodiment wherein additional gripping elements 12 are shown firmly attached to the upper surface of receiving member 14. These additional gripping elements 12 may be employed with another receiving member 14 to secure a sheet 18 therebetween or may be used to attach the assembly shown in FIG. 8 to another suitable receiving element.

FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention wherein a conventional zipper half 90 is fastened to sheet 18 (such as a fabric) utilizing a linear receiving member 14 and a cooperating linear base member 10 with up-right gripping elements 12 thereon.

FIGS. 10-15 show alternate configurations for the base member 10 and the gripping elements 12. In FIG. 10, a single uniform row of gripping elements is illustrated. In FIG. 11, two such rows are illustrated parallel to the edge of linear base 10. FIG. 12 illustrates fastening elements 12 at the edge of the base 10 alternately extending up and down from both sides thereof.

FIGS. l3, l4 and illustrate round configurations for base 10 having the gripping elements at the edge thereof (FIG. 13), at the edge of an aperture therein (FIG. 14), and extending up and down from both sides thereof (FIG. 15). Note also in FIG. 15 that the use of different shaped gripping elements and the same base is illustrated.

The gripping elements used in the present invention are stiff or firm, needle-like members having barbs, hooks, truncated, cone-like bodies serrated grooves and the like. Gripping elements having a slightly rounded tip similar to the geometry of the tip of sewing needles for fabrics are suitable where the sheet to be held or fastened is a fibrous material. In the case of solid sheets such as plastic, paper, leather and the like, the gripping elements should have a sharp point and if necessary also one or more cutting edges similar to the cutting edges used on needles for sewing leather and the like. The gripping elements are preferably made of metal wire, glass filaments or hard plastics such as polyacetals, nylons, polyesters, melamine and the like.

Suitable gripping elements are shown in FIG. 3 of the drawing. Other suitable gripping elements are described in my issued patents, US. Pat. Nos. 3,494,006 and 3,522,637, which are incorporated herein by reference.

The gripping elements are mounted up-right in or on the base in such a manner that they resist deflection which would otherwise prevent them from piercing, penetrating or passing through a sheet to be held or fastened. Thus, the base can be flexible and the gripping elements interconnected to one another to provide the necessary stiffness. The base can also be stiff or rigid and the gripping elements firmly secured thereto.

The base can be made from any suitable rigid, semirigid, stiff or flexible sheet material such as paper, fabric, plastic, metal, glass and the like. The gripping members can be an integral part of the base or can be firmly attached thereto by suitable techniques such as mechanical interpenetratin or by using an adhesive, welding and similar techniques. Also the gripping elements can be inserted from the back or bottom of the base and held in place by a suitable stop such as is shown in my US. Pat. No. 3,494,006 mentioned previously.

The gripping elements can be of any size and diameter depending on the nature of the receiving member and the sheet materials to be fastened. Generally they have a diameter of from about 0.001 to about 0.05 inch. Basically, the gripping members should be long enough to penetrate or pass through the sheet members to be fastened and lodged in the receiving member. In addition they are preferably positioned in uniform parallel rows as shown in FIGS. 10-15 of the drawings. The gripping elements may be randomly positioned provided they are sufficiently far apart.

The receiving member used in the present invention can be made of any material which is sufficiently soft or porous to permit the gripping elements to penetrate and lodge or become retained thereby. The thickness of the receiving member depends on the nature and size of the gripping elements and generally falls within the range of about 0.002 to about 0.25 inch. Suitable receiving materials include woven and non-woven fabrics and felts, fibrous mats, metal or plastic mesh in one or more layers, foamed plastics, wood and other suitable materials which may be woven, knitted, molded or cast including carpet and carpet-like materials.

The backing member used in a preferred embodiment of the fastening device may be made of any material which is sufficiently tough to prevent the gripping elements from penetrating therethrough. Suitable backing materials include metals, plastics, leather and leather substitutes, wood and other suitable molded extruded or cast materials.

The fastening element of the present invention may be used to hold or fasten all types of sheet materials such as woven or non-woven fabrics, paper, leather, plastics, metals, mesh, perforated or expanded plastics or metals. In the case of rigid plastics or metals in perforated, mesh or expanded form, the gripping device of the present invention operates by passing through the perforations or openings in this sheet and then gripping the receiving member.

In addition to the button and zipper secondary fasteners shown in FIGS. 7 and 9 of the drawing, other suitable secondary fasteners include hooks, snaps, eyelets, holders, self-gripping devices and the like. These secondary fasteners may be secured to either member of the fastening device by any known suitable technique.

The fastening device of the present invention can be utilized in many areas. It may be used to hold or fasten two or more layers of sheet material at a particular spot, along a given line or in a particular area. In addition, it may be used to attach secondary fasteners as mentioned above to fabrics and the like eliminating the need for conventional sewing techniques and other secondary processes of attachment.

What is claimed is:

1. Fastening device for piercing, penetrating or passing through one or more sheet-like articles to hold or fasten same comprising a. a gripping member having (1) a base and (2) firmly secured thereto a multiplicity of upright, slim, individual, rigid and stiff needle-shaped gripping elements distributed on the base, said gripping elements having at least one barb at the end thereof which is furthest from said base, said gripping elements being mounted on the base in such a manner that they resist deflection which would otherwise prevent them from piercing, penetrating or passing through said sheet-like articles, said gripping elements being capable of piercing, penetrating and passing through the sheet-like articles to be held or fastened and b. a soft and porous receiving member cooperating with said gripping member and adapted to permit said gripping elements to penetrate and lodge therein, said receiving member having a tough backing member laminated thereto, said backing member being a dense material which is substantially inpenetrable to said needle-shaped gripping elements.

2. Fastening device of claim 1 wherein said gripping elements terminate at a sharp point.

3. Fastening device of claim 1 wherein said gripping and receiving members are linear in form.

4 Fastening device of claim 3 wherein said receiving member is provided with a channel-like backing memher which extends down over the sides thereof.

5. Fastening device of claim 1 wherein said receiving member is one of plastic and metal mesh.

6. Fastening device of claim 1 wherein said base is stiff.

7. Fastening device of claim 1 wherein said base is with one another. 

1. Fastening device for piercing, penetrating or passing through one or more sheet-like articles to hold or fasten same comprising a. a gripping member having (1) a base and (2) firmly secured thereto a multiplicity of upright, slim, individual, rigid and stiff needle-shaped gripping elements distributed on the base, said gripping elements having at least one barb at the end thereof which is furthest from said base, said gripping elements being mOunted on the base in such a manner that they resist deflection which would otherwise prevent them from piercing, penetrating or passing through said sheet-like articles, said gripping elements being capable of piercing, penetrating and passing through the sheet-like articles to be held or fastened and b. a soft and porous receiving member cooperating with said gripping member and adapted to permit said gripping elements to penetrate and lodge therein, said receiving member having a tough backing member laminated thereto, said backing member being a dense material which is substantially inpenetrable to said needle-shaped gripping elements.
 2. Fastening device of claim 1 wherein said gripping elements terminate at a sharp point.
 3. Fastening device of claim 1 wherein said gripping and receiving members are linear in form.
 4. Fastening device of claim 3 wherein said receiving member is provided with a channel-like backing member which extends down over the sides thereof.
 5. Fastening device of claim 1 wherein said receiving member is one of plastic and metal mesh.
 6. Fastening device of claim 1 wherein said base is stiff.
 7. Fastening device of claim 1 wherein said base is flexible and said gripping elements are interconnected with one another. 